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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

BUREAU OF FISHERIES 

GEORGE M. BOWERS, Commiaafontr 



CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL 

OYSTER BEDS AND BARREN BOTTOMS 

OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI 



By IL F. Moore 

Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry 



Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 774 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1913 



n# 



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 
BUREAU OF FISHERIES 

GEORGE M. BOWERS, Commissioner 



CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL 

OYSTER BEDS AND BARREN BOTTOMS 

OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI 






By H. F. Moore 

Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry 



Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 774 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1913 






D, OF D. 
J UN 2 1913 



09 






CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL OYSTER 

BEDS AND BARREN BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI 

EAST OF BUOXI 

By EL F* Moore 

Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry 



Bureau of Fisheries Document No* 774 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction 5 

Methods of the survey 6 

Description of the natural beds: 

Scranton Reef 11 

Patches near Scranton Reef 13 

West Pascagoula Reef 14 

Deer Island, East Point bed 15 

Small patches, Biloxi Bay 17 

Biloxi Bay, below railroad bridge 18 

Back Bay, east bed 19 

Back Bay, west bed 21 

The beds in summary 22 

Barren bottoms 27 

General physical and biological conditions: 

Tides and currents 30 

Salinity of water 30 

Oyster food 32 

Oyster enemies 33 

Spawning 34 

Oyster culture 35 

Summary, conclusions and recommendations 39 

3 



CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL OYSTER BEDS AND 
BARREN BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



By H. F. Moore, 
Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry. 

INTRODUCTION. 

This investigation was made at the request of Hon. E. J. Noel, 
Governor of Mississippi, in connection with a similar survey in 
Alabama which already had been provided for. Had not the latter 
been in progress it is probable that work would have been conducted 
near the western end of Mississippi Sound, where the natural beds 
are more extensive and productive, but the economy in time effected 
by the contiguity of the two areas to be surveyed was a controlling 
factor in deciding the locus of the Mississippi investigations. 

There are extensive oyster interests within the area embraced by 
the survey, but the beds upon which they depend are principally near 
the western limits of the State. Formerly the largest quantity and 
the best quality of the oysters used in the canning and shucking 
houses of Mississippi came from Louisiana, but legislation in that 
State has placed impediments on the export of oysters to be canned 
or shucked in other States, with the result that the Mississippi industry 
has been more or less seriously handicapped for lack of proper raw 
material. A limited quantity of oysters is brought from Alabama for 
packing, principally at Biloxi. 

The triangulation on which the survey was based was furnished for 
the purpose by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, and is 
therefore accurate. All of the points established, excepting buildings 
and other structures of like character, are marked by substantial 
concrete monuments. Should Mississippi establish a system of leas- 
ing her barren bottoms for purposes of oyster culture these stations 
will furnish an invaluable basis for the survey of the leaseholds. With 
the reference points which they furnish it will be possible to measure 
the areas accurately and to locate the corners in a manner which will 
make impossible disputes between contiguous holders and between the 
lessees and the State. In all States in which oyster culture has been 
long established the importance of being able to refer the water surveys 
to permanent and accurately determined points on shore is recognized 
as necessary to prevent litigation, fraud, and loss to the State, and in 
many cases the States have been impelled to establish such marks at 
much expense to themselves. The survey of the actual oyster beds and 
the barren bottoms was conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries in 
February and March, 1911. The work consisted of the determination 

5 



6 OYSTER BOTTOM OP MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

of the location and extent of the oyster beds by means of biological 
and hydrographic examinations and investigation of the character of 
the barren bottoms in respect to their suitability for purposes of 
oyster culture. No previous investigation of this character has been 
made in the region covered by the survey, and there is therefore 
nothing on which to base comparisons with past conditions, and no 
way in which to determine to what extent changes in the beds have 
been effected by the oyster fishery or variations in the physical 
characteristics of the waters and the adjacent land. 

METHODS OF THE SURVEY. 

The methods employed were those pursued in former surveys of like 
character, and are explained in detail in a description of the beds of the 
James River, from which some of the following is repeated: 

A "boat sheet" was prepared, on which were accurately platted 
the positions, as determined by triangulation, of lighthouses, buildings, 
tripods, etc., used as signals. These data were furnished by the 
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

The oyster beds were discovered by soundings with a lead line, but 
principally by means of a length of chain dragged over the bottom at 
the end of a copper wire running from the sounding boat. The wire 
was wound on a reel and its unwound length was adjusted to the depth 
of water and the speed of the launch, so that the chain was always on ' 
the bottom. Whenever the chain touched a shell or an oyster the 
shock or vibration was transmitted up the wire to the hand of a man 
whose sole duty it was to give heed to such signals and report them to 
the recorder. 

The launches from which the soundings were made were run at a 
speed of between 3 and 4 miles per hour. At intervals of three 
minutes — in some cases two minutes — the position of the boat was 
determined by two simultaneous sextant observations of the angles 
between a set of three signals, the middle one of which was common to 
the two angles, the position being immediately platted on the boat 
sheet. At regular intervals of 15 seconds, as measured by a clock 
under the observation of the recorder, the leadsman made a sounding 
and reported to the recorder the depth of the water and the character 
of the bottom, immediately after which the man at the wire reported 
the character of the chain indications since the last sounding — that is, 
whether they showed barren bottom or dense, scattering, or very 
scattering growths of oysters. 

With the boat running at 3 miles per hour the soundings were be- 
tween 60 and 70 feet apart, and, as the speed of the boat was uniform, 
the location of each was determinable within a yard or two by dividing 
the platted distance between the positions determined by the sextant 
by the number of soundings. The chain, of course, gave a continuous 

• Moore, H. F.: Condition and extent of the oyster beds of James River, Va. Bureau of Fisheries 
Document No. 729. 



v OYSTEE BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 7 

indication of the character of the bottom, but the record was made at 
the regular 15-second intervals observed in sounding. 

The chain, while indicating the absence or the relative abundance 
of objects on the bottom, gives no information as to whether they 
are shells or oysters, nor, if the latter, their size and condition. To 
obtain these data it was necessary to supplement the observations 
already described by others more definite in respect to the desired 
particulars. Whenever, in the opinion of the officer in charge of the 
sounding boat, such information was required, a numbered buoy was 
dropped, the time and number being entered in the sounding book. 
Another launch, following the sounding boat, anchored alongside the 
buoy, and a quantity of the oysters and shells were tonged up, 
separated by sizes, and counted. 

This boat at each station made a known number of " grabs" with 
the oyster tongs, exercising care to clean the bottom of oysters as 
thoroughly as possible at each grab. In a given depth of water and 
using the same boat and tongs, an oysterman will cover practically 
the same area of the bottom at each grab, but, other factors remaining 
the same, the area of the grab will decrease with an increase in the depth. 

Careful measurements were made and tabulated showing the area 
per grab covered by the tonger employed on the work at each foot 
of depth of water and for each pair of tongs and boat used. With 
these data, and knowing the number of " grabs," the number of 
oysters of each size per square yard of bottom was readily obtainable 
by simple calculation. The following example will illustrate the 
data obtained and the form of the record: 



Department of Commerce and Labor, 
bureau op fisheries. 



Field record of examinations of oyster beds. 

General locality, Mississppi Sound. 

Local name of oyster ground, Scranton Reef. 

Date, February 1,1911. Time, 2.00 p. m. 

Angle, H101.' Buoy No. 6. 

Depth, 4.8. Bottom, Soft, over 7\" . 

Condition of water, Thick. 

Density, 1.016. Temperature, 19. 

Current, Stage of tide, Flood. 

No. grabs made, 8. Tongs, 10 feet. 

Total area covered, 2.86 square yards. 

AT . ] f— 1 in., 20. 1 in.-3 in., 101. 

No. oysters taken< _ . ' . ^ . . 

J 3 m .-4 in., 11. 4 in., 0. 

Quantity shells, 0. 8 dead. 

{Spat per square yard, 8.8. 
Culls per square yard, 42.2. 
Counts per square yard, 4-6. 



8 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OE BILOXl. 

This furnishes an exact statement of the condition of the bed at 
the spot, which can be platted on the chart with error in position 
of not more than a few yards. From the data obtained a close esti- 
mate may be formed of the number of bushels of oysters and shells 
per acre in the vicinity of the examination, and, by multiplying the 
observations, for the bed as a whole. In the course of the survey 
472 observations were made at various places, principally on the 
natural rocks, but some on the barren bottoms also. 

In estimating the productiveness of the bottoms it appeared 
desirable to use the method employed in Delaware Bay ° rather 
than that followed in the James River survey. 

Where tongs are used exclusively a bed with a given quantity of 
oysters lying in shoal water is more valuable commercially than one 
with the same quantity of oysters in deeper water, owing to the fact 
that the labor of the tonger is more efficient on the former. As has 
been pointed out, the area covered by a "grab" decreases with the 
depth, other factors being the same; and, moreover, the deeper the 
water the greater is the labor involved in making the grab and the 
smaller is the number of grabs which can be made in a given time. 
Where, however, the depth is practically uniform and shoal, as in 
the region treated in this report, it is unnecessarily refined and 
laborious to make such allowance for depth, and it is nearly as accu- 
rate and satisfactory to rate the bottoms in accordance with an 
arbitrary standard. 

In this report the classification of the relative productiveness of 
the various beds and parts of beds, as exhibited on the chart and dis- 
cussed in the text, is as follows: 

Dense growth Bearing over 150 bushels per acre. 

Scattering growth Bearing between 75 and 150 bushels per acre. 

Very scattering growth Bearing between 25 and 75 bushels per acre. 

Depleted bottom Bearing less than 25 bushels per acre* 

This classification refers solely to oysters of a size assumed to be 
large enough for the market, in this case to those 3 inches or more in 
length, although the cull law of Mississippi permits oysters 2 J inches 
long to be taken from the public beds. As the classification takes 
no account of the smaller oysters, certain areas bearing a heavy 
growth of young may be described and shown on the chart as depleted, 
owing to the paucity of mature oysters. A case of this character is 
the depleted part of West Pascagoula, where there are but 3 bushels 
of market oysters per acre and 279 bushels of small ones. While the 
charts can not indicate this, the descriptions of the beds show it in 
all cases. The charts show in general terms the character of the beds 
in respect to the product available for market, so far as mere size 

a Condition and extent of the natural oyster beds of Delaware. By H. F. Moore, assistant, United 
States Bureau of Fisheries. Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 745, 1911. 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 9 

of the oysters is concerned, at the time of the survey. If the oysters 
were of ordinarily good condition and shape, which unfortunately in 
most cas3s they were not, the areas indicated as bearing dense and 
scattering growth would yield a product sufficient to make tonging 
remunerative under the economic conditions existing. Where the 
market oysters are rated as very scattering, the growth is insufficient 
to support a fishery at the low price which the product would yield. 
The depleted bottom is that on which the product of market oysters, 
at the time of the survey, was very small, and is not necessarily 
formerly productive bottom now denuded, as might be supposed 
from a strict definition of the descriptive term employed. On the 
contrary, it may be formerly barren bottom now coming into pro- 
duction. 

The barren bottom, which is that totally devoid of oysters, and in 
most cases of shells, vastly exceeds the oyster bottom in extent. 
Its interest in connection with the survey lies in its relative avail- 
ability for oyster culture; that is, whether or not its general character 
is such as to enable it to become productive if proper measures to 
that end be taken. The most important consideration is, usually, 
the character and degree of stability of its constituent materials. 
If the bottom be too soft the shells and oysters deposited thereon 
will soon become engulfed. 

In previous surveys the method ordinarily used by oystermen has 
been employed, the consistency of the bottom being determined by 
probing with a pole. By noting the resistance which the bottom 
imposes to the penetration of the probe, the observer forms an opinion 
of its relative hardness and of its suitability, in that respect, for oyster 
culture. In many cases different observers will not agree as to the 
proper term by which to describe the bottom so tested, and it is there- 
fore difficult to convey to another the meaning desired. To overcome 
this difficulty an instrument ° has been devised which gives these data 
mechanically, by measuring the number of inches the bottom is 
penetrated by a plunger of a constant weight and size falling through 
a uniform distance. The instrument is used from an anchored boat, 
from 6 to 10 tests being made at each station. Any readings which 
are markedly higher or lower than the others are discarded on the 
assumption that the plunger has fallen into a crab hole or other 
depression, or that it has encountered a shell or similar accidental 
obstruction. The average of the remaining depths of penetration, 
as indicated on the scale of inches inscribed on the rod, is regarded 
as the measure of the consistency of the bottom. 

a Illustrated and described in "Condition and extent of the natural oyster beds and barren bottoms 
Of Mississippi Sound, Alabama." By H. F. Moore, Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 769. 



10 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOSX 

The following designations used to indicate the different degrees 
of hardness, as shown by the instrument, are arbitrary, although 
based on the terms used by the oyster growers: 

Hard Penetration less than 4 inches. 

Stiff Penetration between 4 and 8 inches. 

Soft Penetration between 8 and 13 inches. 

Very soft Penetration between 13 and 18 inches. 

Ooze Penetration over 18 inches. 

These various types of bottom are shown on the chart by means of 
circles, the relative area of black included within them indicating 
the relative degree of hardness, as follows: Hard, a black circle; 
stiff, a black semicircle; soft, a black quadrant; very soft, two cross- 
ing diameters; ooze, one diameter. 

The bottoms classed as hard and stiff, those in which the plunger 
will not penetrate more than 8 inches, are suitable for planting 
without preparation, provided they are not composed of shifting 
sand. As sand invariably gives a reading of less than 4 inches, and 
is therefore rated as "hard," it follows that all "stiff" bottom shown 
on the chart by a black semicircle can be accepted as safe for planting. 
Part of the hard bottom is composed of mud and part of sand. The 
former may be accepted without hesitation, but the latter should be 
examined with respect to its liability to shift. Soft bottom should be 
planted with care, and toward its upper or less consistent limits may 
require some preliminary hardening with shells or sand. Very soft 
bottom and ooze should not be considered, as oysters planted there 
will sink, and if not killed, as is probable, will be ill shaped and 
inferior in every respect. The ratings on which the classification is 
based have been checked by observation on bottoms actually used 
for oyster culture in Chesapeake Bay. 

The instrument employed has been thoroughly tested and is reli- 
able for the purposes of oyster surveys, but there may be errors in 
cases where hard bottom is overlaid by several inches of soft mud 
and ooze. Such bottoms are always readily detected by probing 
with a pole. 

During the course of the survey 10,472 soundings were made and 
1,826 angles for the position of the boat were taken on lines aggre- 
gating a length of 211* miles, over which the chain was dragged 
continuously. In addition to the soundings and the use of the chain 
on the beds, oysters were tonged, examined, and counted, and other 
biological observations were made at 129 places. The barren bot- 
toms were tested with the instrument previously described at 343 
places, at each of which from 6 to 10 observations were made. The 
data of the survey therefore includes upward of 10,000 soundings, 
211 miles of continuous chain readings, and 472 special examinations 
of the bottom and its contents. The whole area covered was about 
75,000 acres, of which 1,708 acres were oyster-bearing bottom. 



OYSTEK BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOX1. 
DESCRIPTION OF NATURAL BEDS. 



11 



SCRANTON REEF. 

Scranton Reef lies in the shallow water west of the mouth of Pasca- 
goula River. It is roughly rectangular in shape, stretching for upward 
of 1^ miles in a southwesterly direction from the depleted bottom 
close to shore to a depth of 3 or 4 feet at its outer edge. Its former 
natural limits apparently have been greatly extended within a 
recent period, partly by the ordinary operations of oystering, 
partly through the agency of gales which have distributed oysters 
and shells over the surrounding mud and sand and, principally 
through planting operations, reported to have been conducted by 
the State on the originally barren bottom contiguous to the offshore 
margin of the natural bed. 

The original reef, and practically the only part of the present bed 
which has reef-like characteristics, is a narrow strip of raccoon 
oysters having a length of about 1| miles in an approximately east 
and west direction, and an average width of about 200 yards. The 
later natural and artificial accretions to the bed lie north and south 
of this ridge. 

The bed constitutes the largest continuous area of oyster growth 
in that part of Mississippi covered by the survey, but the oysters at 
the time of examination were small, rough, and inferior, and there is 
every reason to believe that that has been their condition for some 
years. During the time of the survey practically no oysters were 
taken from the bed. 

The area, condition of oyster growth, and estimated content of 
this bed are shown in the following table: 

Oyster Growth on Scranton Reef. 



Character of oyster growth. 



Dense 

Scattering 

Very scattering 
Depleted 

Total 



Area. 



Acres. 

44 

105 

402 

262 



813 



Oysters per acre. 



Under 3 
inches. 



Bushels. 

740 

447 

206 

27 



Over 3 
inches. 



Bushels. 

278 

117 

47 

9 



Estimated content of oysters. 



Seed. 



Bushels. 

32,560 

46,935 

82, 812 

7,074 



169,381 



Market. 



Bushels. 

12,232 

12, 285 

18, 894 

2,358 



45, 769 



Total. 



Bushels. 

44,792 

59, 220 

101,706 

9,432 



215, 150 



The dense growth lies in the planted area outside the original reef 
as an arcuate strip about one-half mile long and 250 yards wide. 
The depth of water over this is about a foot less than on the adjacent 
bottom bearing a more scattering growth, and varies from about 2\ 
feet at the northern to 4 feet at the southern end of the strip. It is 



12 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

probable that included in this area may be some natural oyster beds 
or patches, although they may have been reduced to mere areas of 
hard bottom prior to the time at which they are alleged to have been 
planted by the State. The shoaling of the water over the strip 
indicates either this or an extraordinary production after planting. 
There are very few oysters over 4 inches long on this area and for 
every oyster 3 inches long or more there are 6 or more under that 
length, and all are poor in every respect. 

South of this strip and continuous with it in a depth of 4 to 5 feet 
is an area of scattering oysters, but the principal growth of that 
character lies on the old ridge previously described. On the crest of 
the ridge the depth is generally 1 foot or less, but the scattering 
growth passes to a depth of about 2J feet at the western end in a 
channel running to one of the bayous. In this area there is hardly 
an oyster reaching , a length of 4 inches and there are nearly nine 
times as many under 3 inches as over that. This does not mean that 
there is an enormous production of young, though that is also true, 
but that the conditions are such as to prevent oysters growing to a 
large size even though they may attain a considerable age. In most 
places examined they were densely clustered, though in one or two 
spots small single oysters are found in considerable numbers. There 
were some drills and in one or two places considerable algse or "moss." 
The very scattering growth which constitutes about one-half of the 
entire bed lies in the two areas practically surrounding the denser 
growth. The smaller of the two is inside of the ridge in water not 
exceeding 2 feet deep. The larger lies outside of the ridge and on all 
sides of the area of dense growth previously described. In oysters 
of marketable size, that is those measuring 3 inches or more in length, 
the productiveness of the two is about equal, but small oysters are 
in greater abundance in the outer or planted area, especially in that 
part of it lying west of the dense growth. 

The depleted bottom is confined to the northern and eastern 
borders of the bed. Over the former it is characterized by the 
clusters of small oysters sparsely scattered, and apparently owes its 
existence to a set on shells carried from the more productive bottoms 
by storms. 



OYSTEK BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 
Details of Examination of Scranton Reef. 



13 



Angle 
No. 


Date of 
exami- 
nation. 


Depth 

of 
water. 


Character of 
growth. 


Oysters caught per 
square yard. 


Shells 

per 
square 
yard. 


Estimated quantity 
oysters per acre. 


Spat, 


Culls. 


Counts. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


845 


1911. 

Feb. 1 

Feb. 2 

Feb. 1 
...do 

Feb. 2 

...do 

...do 

...do 

Feb. 1 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

Feb. 2 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 
...do 

Jan. 31 
...do 

Feb. 1 

...do 

...do 

...do 

Feb. 2 
...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 


Feet. 
4.0 
3.5 
2.1 
2.0 
2.1 
3.3 
1.5 
4.0 
4.3 
4.0 
3.8 
2.8 
3.1 
3.1 
3.2 
2.0 
2.0 
4.0 
4.0 
3.5 
4.0. 
2.0 
4.0 
2.8 
2.3 
1.5 
2.6 
3.0 
2.0 
1.0 
1.3 
3.0 
4.0 
4.3 
3.5 
3.0 
3.1 
2.2 
2.0 
2.5 
2.0 
3.1 
3.8 
4.3 
3.0 
3.0 
1.8 


Dense 


18.5 

16.0 

5.5 

3.0 

.3 

6.0 

7.7 

2.5 

8.3 

21.1 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.5 

2.9 

10.7 

20.5 

4.1 

5.5 

6.8 

6.5 

2.5 

7.8 


87.0 
90.0 
97.5 
141.0 
12.9 
41.3 
55.8 

9.5 
42.2 
23.3 
37.8 
.9 
16.6 

4.7 
47.5 
75.0 
24.8 

4.4 
13.5 

2.7 

1.0 
56.8 
21.0 

5.4 
86.6 


10.8 
24.0 
7.5 
5.0 
6.8 
12.7 
5.0 
7.0 
4.6 
, 4.4 
2.2 
.6 
1.6 
1.9 
2.9 
2.0 
4.2 
1.9 
2.0 
2.3 
1.5 
1.9 
4.5 
4.2 
2.2 























8 





Bush. 

738.5 
742 
721 
1,008 

92.4 
333.1 
444.5 

84 
353.5 
310.8 
264.6 
6.3 
116.2 

32.9 
332.5 
528.5 
193.9 
105.7 
238 

47.6 

45.5 
445. 2 
192. 5 

55. 3 
660.8 


Bush. 

172.8 

384 

120 
80 

108.8 

203.2 
80 

112 
73.6 
70.4 
35.2 
9.6 
25.6 
30.4 
46.4 
32 
67.2 
30.4 
32 
36.8 
24 

30.4 
72 

67.2 
35.2 


Bush. 
911.3 


886 


do 


1,126 


852 
860 
868 


Scattering 

do 

..do 


841 
1,088 
201.2 


883 
884 


do 

do 


536.3 
524.5 


887 


do 


196 


843 
844 
846 


Very scattering... 

do 

do 


427.1 
381.2 
299.8 


851 
853 
858 
859 
869 
870 
874 
878 


do 

do 

do.., 

do 

do 

do 

do 

....do 


15.9 
141.8 

63.3 
378.9 
560.5 
261.1 
136.1 
270 


879 


....do 


84.4 


880 


...do 


69.5 


881 
882 


do 

do 


475.6 
264.5 


885 


...do 


122.5 


888 


....do 


696 


889 


do 




890 


....do 


1.9 
.4 


15.9 
20.4 


1.1 
7.2 


5 



124.6 
145.6 


17.6 
115.2 


142.2 


894 
895 


do 

do 


260.8 


896 


....do 


.3 


4.4 


3.3 





32.9 


52.8 


85.7 


897 


do 




893 


...do 


.0 
.0 
.0 
1.3 
.0 
.0 
.0 


14.2 

1.1 

.0 

7.7 

.6 

10.3 

.5 


4.6 
.0 
.0 

.7 
.3 
.9 
.8 











99.4 

7.7 

.0 

63 
4.2 

72.1 
3.5 


73.6 
.0 
.0 

11.2 
4.8 

14.4 

12.8 


173 


806 


Depleted 


7.7 


807 


do 


.0 


854 


do 


74.2 


855 


do 


9 


856 

857 
865 


do 

do 

do 


86.5 
16.3 


866 


do 
















867 


do 


3.2 
.8 
.0 

3.3 
.0 
.0 


4.8 
.0 
.5 
4.4 
3.4 
4.7 


1.0 

.4 
1.0 
.4 
.9 
.0 


1 



1 






56 

5.6 

3.5 

53.9 

23.8 

32.9 


16 

6.4 
16 

6.4 

14.4 

.0 


72 


871 
872 
875 
891 
893 
899 


do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 


12 

19.5 

60.3 

38.2 

32.9 





















PATCHES NEAR SCRANTON REEF. 

At a distance of a few hundred yards from the western and south- 
western margin of Scranton Reef are several small patches of what 
appears to be a natural growth of oysters. None of these are of 
material importance and but one examination was made on each, 
although one or two lines of soundings were carried over them. 
The areas and productivity of these patches are shown in the table 
following. 



14 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

Oyster Growth on Patches Near Scranton Reef. 



Character of oyster growth. 



Scattering 

Very scattering 
Depleted 

Total 



Area. 



Acres. 
10 
10 



28 



Oysters per acre. 



Under 3 
inches. 



Bushels. 

207 

270 

4 



Over 3 
inches. 



Bushels. 

77 

36 

3 



Estimated content of oysters. 



Seed. 



Bushels. 

2,070 

2,700 

32 



4,802 



Market. 



Bushels. 

770 

360 

24 



1,154 



Total. 



Bushels. 
2,840 
3,060 
56 



5,956 



The area of scattering growth, which covers about 10 acres, lies 
northwest of Scranton Reef proper in the shallow channel running 
into West Pascagoula River. The larger of the patches of scattering 
growth and the depleted bottom lie on the eastern edge of the sand 
spit between Scranton and West Pascagoula Reefs. 

The following data are derived from the examination of these 
patches: 

Details of Examination of Patches Near Scranton Reef. 



Angle 


— . .., — 

Date of 
exami- 
nation. 


Depth 
of 

water. 


Character of 
growth. 


Oysters caught per 
square yard. 


Shells 

per 
square 
yard. 


Estimated quantity 
oysters per acre. 


No. 


Spat. 


Culls. 


Counts. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


847 
809 
838 


1911. 

Feb. 1 

Jan. 31 

Feb. 1 

...do 


Feet. 
4.0 
4.0 
3.5 
2.5 


Scattering 

Very scattering . . 
do 


2.2 

24.5 

4.3 

.6 


27.4 

43.0 

5.3 

.0 


4.8 

1.5 

3.0 

.2 





2 


Bush. 

207.2 

472.5 

67.2 

4.2 


Bush. 

76.8 

24.0 

48.0 

3.2 


Bush. 
284.0 
496.5 
115.2 


837 


Depleted 


7.4 









WEST PASCAGOULA REEF. 

This body of oysters lies on the west side of the sand spit off the 
mouth of West Pascagoula River, in a depth of water ranging from 
2 feet on the eastern and northern edges to about 3J feet on the west 
and south. It consists of an area of dense growth almost surrounded 
by very scattering oysters. The northern third of the bed, although 
prolific in young, is rated as depleted, owing to the practical absence 
of oysters over 3 inches long. The oysters on the bed as a whole are 
undersized and badly clustered. 

The following table summarizes the area and conditions of oyster 

growth : 

Oyster Growth on West Pascagoula Reef. 



Character of oyster growth. 


Area. 


Oysters per acre. 


Estimated content of oysters. 


Under 3 
inches. 


Over 3 
inches. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


Dense 


Acres. 

71 

119 

95 


Bushels. 

1,261 

177 

279 


Bushels. 

171 

38 

3 


Bushels. 
89,531 
21,063 
26,505 


Bushels. 

12, 141 

4,522 

285 


Bushels. 
101,672 


Very scattering 


25,585 


Depleted 


26,790 






Total 


285 






137,099 


16,948 


154,047 











OYSTEK BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



15 



The area of dense growth, which comprises about one-fourth of the 
total, undoubtedly represents the original natural growth, the sur- 
rounding less prolific area having been stocked by shells and 
oysters carried onto the mud by storms and waves and the 
involuntary agency of the oystermen. This part of the reef is 
extraordinarily productive, bearing an average of upwards of 1,400 
bushels per acre, of which, however, the oysters over 3 inches 
long constitute but 12 per cent in bulk and less than 6 per cent 
numerically. In other words, for each oyster 3 inches or more 
in length, there are approximately 17 smaller ones. Several small 
schooners were tonging on this area at the time of the survey. 
The area bearing the very scattering growth of market oysters prac- 
tically surrounds that just described, lying in a depth of from 2 to 
34 feet of water. It contains hardly more than 20 per cent of the 
quantity of large oysters per acre which occur on the dense area, but 
as the small oysters are relatively still less abundant those over 3 
inches in length comprise about 18 per cent of the total quantity, 
although numerically they constitute less than 9 per cent. 

The depleted bottom which covers the inshore third of the reef is 
practically devoid of oysters of marketable size, but in the number 
and quantity of small oysters it excels the area of scattering growth. 
The few marketable oysters are generally near the inner edge of the 
bed, where the oyster growth becomes very sparse. Near the outer 
edge of the area the young oysters are in places exceedingly abundant. 

A few scattered clusters lie on the sandy bottom stretching shore- 
ward. 

The following table exhibits the results of examinations made at 
various stations : 

Details of Examination of West Pascagoula Reef. 



Angle 
No. 


Date of 
exami- 
nation. 


Depth 
of 

water. 


Character of 
growth. 


Oysters caught per 
square yard. 


Shells 

per 
square 
yard. 


Estimated quantity 
oysters per acre. 


Spat. 


Culls. 


Counts. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


824 


1911. 
Feb. 1 

...do 

...do.... 
...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 


Feet. 
2.8 
2.3 
2.0 
4.0 
3.5 
3.2 
3.0 
1.9 
2.2 
2.2 
2.0 
2.2 


Dense 


30.0 

26.0 

19.5 

12.5 

2.3 

.6 

1.6 

9.5 

4.0 

.0 

.0 

2.9 


198.0 

111.0 

156.0 

15.5 

2.8 

1.8 

7.2 

72.5 

123.0 

.5 

.7 

28.3 


16.7 

8.3 

7.0 

1.5 

2.8 

1.8 

3.7 

2.0 

.0 

.7 

.0 

.0 




3 
8 








1 


Bush. 

1,596.0 

959.0 

1,228.5 

196.0 

35.7 

16.8 

61.6 

574.0 

889.0 

3.5 

4.9 

218.4 


Bush. 

267.2 

132.8 

112.0 

24.0 

44.8 

28.8 

59.2 

32.0 

.0 

11.2 

.0 

.0 


Bush. 

1,863.2 

1,091.8 

1,340.5 

220.0 

80.5 

45.6 

120.8 

606.0 

889.0 


825 
828 
820 
821 
822 
823 
835 
830 


do 

do 

Very scattering. . . 

do 

do 

do 

do 

Depleted 


832 
833 

834 


do 

do 

do 


14.7 

4.9 

218.4 



DEER ISLAND, EAST POINT BED. 

This bed lies near the mouth of Biloxi Bay, north of the east end 
of Deer Island, in a depth of water ranging from 3 to 6 or 7 feet. It 
is over one-half mile long and slightly more than one-third mile wide, 
77630°— 13 2 



16 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



and contains about 106 acres of all degrees of productiveness. Its 
southwest edge is indeterminate, the oyster growth being continued 
shoreward to or above low-water mark. 

The following table summarizes the area and distribution of oyster 
growth on this bed : 

Oyster Growth on Deer Island, East Point Bed. 





Area. 


Oysters per acre. 


Estimated content of oysters. 


Character of growth. 


Under 3 
inches. 


Over 3 
inches. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


Dense 


Acres. 
5 

19 
35 
47 


Bushels. 

134 

21 

29 

1 


Bushels. 

184 
94 
40 

7 


Bushels. 

670 

399 

1,015 

47 


Bushels. 

920 
1,786 
1,400 

329 


Bushels. 
1,590 


Scattering 


2,185 


Very scattering 


2.415 


Depleted 


376 






Total 


106 






2, 131 


4,435 


6,566 











The area of dense growth is a small, narrow patch of not over 5 
acres in extent, which is the most prolific part of the bed in both 
market and small oysters. The oysters are of excellent shape and 
good quality. The scattering growth occupies the outer edge of the 
bed in a depth of from 6 to 8 feet. The market oysters vary in 
quantity in different places between about 75 bushels and 110 bushels 
per acre, and are similar in shape and quality to those on the area of 
dense growth, but small ones are much less numerous. The very 
scattering growth is inshore of the two areas previously described, and 
covers about 35 acres; and the depleted bottom, which occupies 
approximately 47 acres, borders the southern and western edges of 
the bed. The boundaries of this growth are indeterminate on the 
landward side, as scattered clusters occur in the shallow water to 
low-water mark or beyond. 

This bed, as a whole, produces the best oysters found in Mississippi 
during the survey. The examinations made gave the data shown in 
the following table: 

Details of Examination of Deer Island, East Point Eed. 



Angle 
No. 


Date of 
exami- 
nation. 


Depth 

of 
water. 


Character of 
growth. 


Oysters caught per 
square yard. 


Shells 

per 
square 
yard. 


Estimated quantity 
oysters per acre. 


Spat. 


Culls. 


Counts. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


1232 


1911. 
Feb. 25 
...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 
...do 


Feet. 
6.5 
8.0 
8.0 
6.0 
6.3 
5.0 
4.5 
5.0 
5.3 
6.0 


Dense 


4.6 
1.0 
.0 
1.4 
.0 
.0 
.0 
.0 


14.6 

4.0 

.9 

3.6 

7.2 

.0 

.6 

.0 


11.5 
7.0 
4.8 
2.9 
2.1 
2.5 
.0 
.6 












Bush. 

134.4 

35.0 

6.3 

35.0 

50.4 

.0 

4.2 

.0 


Bush. 

184.0 

112.0 

76.8 

46.4 

33.6 

40.0 

.0 

9.6 


Bush. 
318.4 


1227 

1233 


Scattering 

do.... 


147.0 
83.1 


1230 
1231 
1234 


Very scattering... 

do 

.....do 


81.4 
84.0 
40.0 


1228 
1235 
1236 


Depleted 

do 

do 


4.2 

9.6 


1237 


do 


.0 


.0 


.7 





.0 


11.2 


11.2 









OYSTEK BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



17 



SMALL PATCHES, BILOXI BAY. 

Northwest of the bed just described and stretching as far as the 
railroad bridge and to the edge of the private bottoms off Red Bluff 
are a number of patches varying in extent from one-half acre to 
about 18 acres, aggregating about 73 acres of all degrees of produc- 
tiveness. 

The condition and extent of these fragmentary beds are summa- 
rized in the following table: 

Oyster Growth on Small Patches in Biloxi Bat. 





Area. 


Oysters per acre. 


Estimated content of oysters. 


Character of growth. 


Under 3 
inches. 


Over 3 

inches. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


Dense 


Acres. 



60 
1 


Bushels. 

120 

99 

38 

33 


Bushels. 

277 

121 

40 

8 


Bushels. 
600 
693 

2,280 
33 


Bushels. 

1,385 

847 

2,400 

8 


Bushels. 
1,985 


Scattering 


1,540 


Very scattering 


4,680 


Depleted 


41 






Total 


73 






3,606 


4,640 


8,246 









The patches bearing dense growth are four or five in number, cov- 
ering, all told, about 5 acres and individually so small that to show 
them on the chart it has been necessary to exaggerate their size They 
bear between 240 and 341 bushels per acre of oysters over 3 inches 
long, but the stock is so badly clustered and poor as to have small 
value. 

There are two patches of scattering oysters, covering at most about 
7 acres, on which the growth resembles that just described, though 
less abundant. The patches of very scattering growth are more 
numerous and several of them are of considerable size. The bound- 
aries of one which adjoins the private beds on the northeast side of 
the bay about 1£ miles below the railroad bridge was not definitely 
determined, but it is estimated to contain about 18 acres. At the 
place examined it bore about 50 bushels of 3-inch oysters per acre 
and about 10 bushels of smaller ones. Another bed of about 7 acres 
adjoins the northeast corner of the private beds off Deer Island and 
bears per acre approximately 50 bushels each of oysters over and 
under 3 inches long. 

The most extensive bed of very scattering oysters covers about 
29 acres near the middle of the bay. It bears an average per acre 
of about 40 bushels of each of the two sizes. This bed lies on bottom 
such as is classed in this report as soft and very soft, and bears the 
appearance of having been recently established. It is said that the 
State planted oysters in this vicinity several years ago, and it appears 
probable that this is the place. The oysters are inferior and in rough 
clusters. 



18 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

Details of Examination of Small Patches, Biloxi Bay. 











Oysters caught per 


Shells 

per 
square 
yard. 


_ . _, 

Estimated quantity 


Angle 


Date of 
exami- 
nation. 


Depth 
of 

water. 


Character of 
growth. 


square yard. 


oysters per acre. 


No. 


Spat, 


Culls. 


Counts. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 




1911. 


Feet. 












Bush. 


Bush. 


Bush. 


• 1153 


Feb. 23 
...do 


5.5 
4.3 


Dense 


1.3 

.0 


26.0 
11.1 


21.3 
15.0 






191 

78 


341 
240 


532 


1164 


do 


318 


1172 


...do 


6.5 


do 


.0 


5.4 


17.7 





38 


283 


321 


1173 


...do 


5.3 


do 


.7 


24.0 


15.3 





173 


245 


418 


1176 


...do 


€.5 


Scattering 


.0 


26.4 


8.6 





185 


138 


323 


1218 


Feb. 25 


8.0 


do 


.0 


1.7 


6.5 





12 


104 


116 


1166 


Feb. 23 


5.0 


Very scattering. . . 


.0 


.6 


2.5 





4 


40 


44 


1170 


...do 


6.3 


do 


.0 


9.3 


2.1 





65 


34 


99 


1180 


...do 


6.5 


do 


.0 


5.0 


4.3 





35 


69 


104 


1219 


Feb. 25 


8.0 


do 


1.0 


8.3 


1.0 





65 


16 


81 


1220 


...do 
...do 


8.0 
9.5 


....do 


.3 

.0 


4.5 

1.7 


2.8 
3.0 






37 
12 


45 
48 


82 


1222 


do 


60 


1224 


...do 


8.5 


do 


.0 


.7 


1.8 





5 


29 


34 


1225 


...do 


7.0 


do 


.0 


4.0 


1.3 





28 


21 


49 


1226 


...do 


5.5 


do 


2.7 


10.7 


3.3 





94 


54 


148 


1142 


Feb. 23 


12.0 


Depleted 


.0 


2.0 








14 





14 


1147 


...do 


5.3 


do 


.0 


7.3 


1.0 





51 


16 


67 



BILOXI BAY BELOW RAILROAD BRIDGE. 

This bed begins close to the piers of the railroad bridge and stretches 
down the middle of the bay southwest of the channel for a distance of 
about 1J miles. It has a maximum width of about 600 yards near 
its middle, tapering toward the ends, and it embraces an area of 
about 234 acres. At its inner edge, where it runs to, or practically 
to, the stakes marking the private beds, the water is about 3 feet 
deep, gradually increasing to from 5 to 7 feet toward the channel. 
It consists of a long strip of dense and scattering growth, broadly 
fringed on its southwest side by less prolific bottom and with an inter- 
rupted narrow belt of the same character toward the channel. 

Its general condition and extent are shown in the following table: 

Oyster Growth in Biloxi Bay Below Railroad Bridge. 





Area. 


Oysters per acre. 


Estimated content of oysters. 


Character of oyster growth. 


Under 3 
inches. 


Over 3 
inches. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


Dense 


Acres. 

34 

106 

68 
26 


Bushels. 

180 

140 

39 

163 


Bushels. 

297 

122 

54 

17 


Bushels. 

6,120 

14,840 

2,652 

4,238 


Bushels. 

10,098 

12,932 

3,672 

442 


Bushels. 
16, 218 


Scattering 


27,772 


Very scattering 


6,324 


Depleted 


4,680 






Total 


234 






27,850 


27,144 


54,994 









The scattering growth occupies nearly one-half of the total area 
of the bed as a strip from 100 to 300 yards wide running practically 
the entire length of the bed. On this area there is an average 
growth per acre of about 122 bushels of oysters 3 inches or more 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



19 



in length and a slightly greater quantity of smaller ones. Numer- 
ically the small oysters outnumber the larger ones as about 2.6 
to 1. 

The dense growth occupies a strip nearly a half mile long near 
the middle of the bed and a small patch at the lower end. On 
the latter, which covers about 5 acres, the larger oysters are par- 
ticularly abundant, examination indicating about 416 bushels per 
acre. On the larger strip, which contains about 29 acres, there are 
about 235 bushels per acre. Oysters under 3 inches long range at 
the places examined between 154 and 218 bushels per acre, the aver- 
age being about 180 bushels. In actual quantity the small oysters 
are more abundant than on the area of, scattering growth, but in 
numbers relatively to the market oysters they are but half as 
abundant. 

The very scattering growth and the depleted bottom lie on the 
edges of the bed as transition areas between the more productive 
and the barren bottoms. The depleted bottom, although unproduc- 
tive in large oysters at the time of the survey, was well provided 
with small ones, the average per acre being about 163 bushels. A 
number of boats were tonging on this bed during the presence of the 
survey party in the vicinity. The oysters were of inferior quality, 
clustered and "coony." 

Details of Examination of Biloxi Bay Below Railroad Bridge. 



Angle 
No. 


Date of 
exami- 
nation. 


Depth 
of 

water. 


Character of 
growth. 


Oysters caught per 
square yard. 


Shells 

per 
square 
yard. 


Estimated quantity 
oysters per acre. 


Spat. 


Culls. 


Counts. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


1151 


1911. 
Feb. 23 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 

...do 

...do.... 
...do.... 


Feet. 
4.0 
5.0 
5.5 
7.0 
5-0 
6.0 
5.0 
5.0 
4.0 
5.2 
7.0 
4.0 
6.0 
4.0 
4.5 
4.0 
4.8 
4.5 
4.0 


Dense 


0.0 
1.2 

.0 
5.3 
.0 
.0 
.0 
.0 
.0 
.0 


24.0 
30.0 
22.0 
28.6 
21.8 
8.6 
9.4 
33.8 
16.5 
15.6 


13.5 
16.2 
26.0 
9.3 
7.5 
8.6 
8.1 
6.2 
8.0 
5.6 














Bush. 
168 
218 
154 
237 
153 
60 
66 
237 
116 
109 


Bush. 
216 
259 
416 
149 
120 
138 
130 

99 
128 

90 


Bush. 
384 


1158 
1168 
1139 
1144 
1146 
1148 
1152 
1155 


do 

do 

Scattering 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 


477 
570 
386 
273 
198 
196 
336 
244 


1162 
1169 


do 


199 


1138 
1143 
1150 
1154 
1156 
1163 
1145 


Very scattering.. 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

Depleted 


.0 
.0 
.0 
3.3 
.0 
.0 
.0 
.5 


.7 

8.3 

14.0 

1.1 

1.0 

5.0 

32.8 

13.0 


3.7 
4.4 
4.5 
3.3 
2.0 
2.5 
1.1 
1.0 




4 







5 
58 
98 
31 

7 

35 

230 

95 


59 
70 
72 
53 
32 
40 
18 
16 


64 

128 

170 

84 

39 

75 

248 


1149 


do 


111 



BACK BAY, EAST BED. 

This bed, covering about 74 acres of bottom of varying produc- 
tiveness, lies about north of the draw of the Louisville & Nashville 
Railroad bridge. It is about five-eighths of a mile long and about 



20 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



one-quarter of a mile at its widest part. It is covered by from 3 to 
3£ feet of water, with a somewhat greater depth on the barren 
bottom immediately adjacent to its borders. The productive bot- 
tom occupies the southern half of the bed, where a small number of 
tongers were at work during the survey. The oysters are badly 
clustered, sharp-edged, and of a poor quality. 

The general condition of the bed is summarized in the following 

table: 

Oyster Growth in Back Bay, East Bed. 





Area. 


Oysters per acre 


Estimated content of oysters. 


Character of growth. 


Under 3 
inches. 


Over 3 
inches. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


Dense 


Acres. 

29 

6 

18 

21 


Bushels. 
113 

62 

228 

47 


Bushels. 

249 

88 

56 

11 


Bushels. 
3,277 

372 
4,104 

987 


Bushels. 
7,221 

528 
1,008 

231 


Bushels. 
10, 498 


Scattering 


900 


Very scattering 


5,112 


Depleted 


1,218 






Total 


74 






8,740 


8,988 


17,728 











The area of dense growth covers about 29 acres, on which there 
are about 249 bushels of oysters over 3 inches long and 113 bushels 
of smaller ones per acre. Numerically the two classes are practi- 
cally equal, that is, thare is a young oyster for every one above 3 
inches long. In some places the bottom is fairly compact and in 
others the oysters lie on soft black mud with many buried shells. 
The oysters are generally in large rough clusters. 

The scattering growth lies as a narrow strip on the eastern edge 
of the preceding and covers about 6 acres. The young oysters are 
more numerous in proportion to the large ones, but both are in 
smaller quantity than on the dense part of the bed. 

On the area of very scattering growth, while the market oysters 
are less numerous the young are found in greater quantity than on 
the other parts of the bed. For each oyster over 3 inches long there 
are more than 9 smaller ones. The clusters contain numerous 
individuals, and it is apparent that the conditions are such as to 
retard their growth. The bottom is hard on the surface. The de- 
pleted bottom occupies the gradually narrowing northern end of 
the bed and is deficient in oysters of all sizes. 

The following table gives the details of the examination made on 
the bed: 



OYSTEK BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BlLOXI. 21 

Details of Examination of Back Bay, East Bed. 



Angle 
No. 


Date of 
exami- 
nation. 


Depth 

of 
water. 


Character of 
growth. 


Oysters caught per 
square yard. 


Shells 

per 
square 
yard. 


Estimated quantity 
oysters per acre. 


Spat. 


Culls. 


Counts. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


1189 


1911. 
Feb. 24 

...do 

...do.... 

...do 

...do 

...do 

...do 
...do 
...do 


Feet. 
4.0 
4.5 
6.0 
4.5 
4.0 
4.0 
4.2 
3.8 
4.3 


Dense 


.0 
.0 
.0 
2.2 
.0 
.0 
.0 
.0 
.0 


41.5 

5.5 

1.4 

6.7 

19.5 

45.5 

13.5 

4.0 

2.8 


15.5 

13.3 

17.8 

5.5 

3.0 

4.0 

.5 

.5 

1.1 













Bush. 

290.5 

38.5 

9.8 

62.3 

136.5 

318.5 

94.5 

28.0 

19.6 


Bush. 

248.0 

212.8 

284.8 

88.0 

48.0 

64.0 

8.0 

8.0 

17.6 


Bush. 
538.5 


1190 
1191 
1188 
1203 
1204 


do 

do 

Scattering 

Very scattering. . . 
do 


251.3 
294.6 
150.3 
184.5 
382.5 


1205 


Depleted 


102.5 


1207 


do 


36.0 


1208 


do 


37.2 



BACK BAY, WEST BED. 

This bed begins about a quarter of a mile nearly west of the draw 
in the railroad bridge and stretches along the northern edge of the 
main channel for a distance of about three-fourths of a mile, its 
northwestern edge adjoining the boundary stakes of the planted 
beds. The water varies from less than 3 feet near the eastern end 
of the bed to about 10 feet at the western edge. Among the beds of 
Biloxi Bay this is distinguished by the abundance of small oysters. 

The following table summarizes the areas, character of growth, and 
general condition of the several parts of the bed: 

Oyster Growth in Back Bay, West Bed. 





Area. 


Oysters per acre. 


Estimated content of oysters. 


Character of growth. 


Under 3 
inches. 


Over 3 
inches. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


Dense 


Acres. 

29 

5 

41 

20 


Bushels. 
279 

35 
381 

14 


Bushels. 

214 

136 

55 

1 


Bushels. 

8,091 

175 

15, 621 

280 


Bushels. 

6,206 

680 

2,255 

20 


Bushels. 
14, 297 


Scattering 


855 


Very scattering 


17, 876 


Depleted 


300 






Total.. 


95 






24, 167 


9,161 


33, 328 











The area of dense growth is a narrow strip extending nearly the 
entire length of the bed and for a considerable part of the distance 
near its northeast edge, forming a ridge covered by very shallow 
water. It covers about 29 acres and bears an average per acre of 
214 bushels of market oysters and 279 bushels of small ones. There 
are about three small oysters to each one over 3 inches long. The 
stock is generally of poor shape and quality and badly clustered. 
The area of scattering growth lies between the eastern edge of the 
preceding and the margin of the bed. There is a fair quantity of the 
larger oysters but a dearth of small ones. 



22 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



The very scattering growth lies in two areas, one of about 13 acres, 
occupying the southern margin of the bed adjoining the channel, and 
the other of about 28 acres at the western end of the bed. The 
examination of the former indicated about 70 bushels of larger oysters 
and 183 bushels of smaller ones per acre. The larger area at the 
western end of the bed has per acre only 50 bushels of oysters over 
3 inches, but is much more productive in small ones, especially in 
that portion which adjoins the dense growth, where examination 
indicated 1,120 bushels per acre. This prolificness covers but a small 
area and the production of both large and small oysters decreases 
toward the boundary stakes of the planted beds. 

The depleted bottom, of which there are two areas, shown on the 
chart, is almost bare. The following examinations were made: 

Details of Examination of Back Bay, West Bed. 



Angle 
No. 


Date of 
exami- 
nation. 


Depth 

of 
water. 


Character of 
growth. 


Oysters caught per 
square yard. 


Shells 

per 
square 
yard. 


Estimated quantity 
oysters per acre. 


Spat. 


Culls. 


Counts. 


Seed. 


Market. 


Total. 


1193 


1911 
Feb. 24 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 
...do.... 


Feet. 
3.5 
10.0 
4.0 
4.0 
4.0 
3.0 
6.0 
4.5 
6.0 
3.8 
5.0 


Dense 












1 




7.7 
65.4 
30.0 
56.5 

5.0 

26.2 

160.0 

12.8 

18.6 

2.0 

1.9 


10.4 

13.6 

22.0 

7.5 

8.5 

4.4 

3.6 

2.2 

3.6 

.1 

.0 















Bush. 

53.9 
457.8 
210.0 
395.5 

35.0 

183.4 

1, 120. 

89.6 
130.2 

14.7 

13.3 


Bush. 

166.4 

217.6 

352.0 

120.0 

136.0 

70.4 

57.6 

35.2 

57.6 

1.6 

.0 


Bush. 
220.3 


1196 


do 


675.4 


1214 


do 


562.0 


1215 


do 


515.5 


1192 
1194 
1197 
1198 


Scattering 

Very scattering . . 

do 

do 


171.0 

253.8 

1,177.6 

124.8 


1199 


do 


187.8 


1213 


Depleted 


16.3 


1216 


do 


13.3 









THE BEDS IN SUMMARY. 

The natural oyster beds of Mississippi east of Biloxi are restricted 
to the waters adjacent to the mouth of the Pascagoula River and 
Biloxi Bay. The beds of the former locality, of which there are two 
and some insignificant patches, embrace almost exactly two- thirds 
of the naturally productive bottom; Scranton Reef, the larger of the 
beds, comprises nearly one-half of the oyster area of the region sur- 
veyed, and West Pascagoula Reef about one-sixth. The two, with 
the small patches alluded to, cover about 1,126 acres, of which 115 
acres have a dense growth of oysters of marketable size, 115 acres a 
scattering growth, 531 acres a very scattering growth, and 365 acres 
are so sparsely covered as to be classified as depleted. All of these 
lie in water not exceeding 5 feet in depth and most of them, especially 
the more productive parts, are covered by 3 feet or less. 

In Biloxi Bay there are four beds of more than insignificant size. 
The largest of these, covering about 234 acres, lies on the west side 
below the railroad bridge. The others in the order of their areas 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



23 



are near the southeastern end of Deer Island, and the western and 
eastern beds, respectively, above the railroad bridge. In addition 
there are a number of small patches below the railroad bridge, the 
largest of which is believed to be a public planted bed. Altogether 
there are in Biloxi Bay about 582 acres of oyster bottom, of which 
102 acres are classed as dense, 143 as scattering, 222 as very scatter- 
ing, and 115 as depleted. Of the entire area of 1,708 acres of natural 
oyster bottom located by the survey, 13 per cent is covered by a dense 
growth of oysters of marketable size, 15 per cent by a scattering 
growth, 44 per cent by a very scattering growth, and 28 per cent is 
depleted or very deficient in such oysters. 

The following table summarizes the distribution of the oysters on 
the several beds: 

Summarized Statement of Areas of Market Oysters on Public Beds. 



Name of bed. 



Scranton Reef 

Patches near Scranton Reef 

West Pascagoula Reef 

Deer Island, East Point 

Small patches, Biloxi Bay 

Biloxi Bay, below railway bridge. 

Back Bay, east bed 

Back Bay, west bed 



Total. 



Character of oyster growth. 



Dense. 



Acres. 
44 



217 



Scatter- 
ing. 



Acres. 
105 
10 



19 

7 

106 

6 

5 



258 



Very 
scatter- 
ing. 



Acres. 
402 
10 
119 
35 
60 
68 
18 
41 



753 



Depleted. 



Acres. 

262 

8 

95 

47 

1 

26 
21 
20 



480 



Total. 



Acres. 
813 

28 
285 
106 

73 
234 

74 

95 



1,708 



It should be understood that the foregoing classification in respect 
to relative density of oyster growth is based solely on the quantity 
of oysters 3 inches or more in length irrespective of the quantity of 
small oysters present. The classification, furthermore, represents 
the condition at the time of examination and the several classes may 
and undoubtedly will undergo redistribution from time to time. 
The areas of dense growth may become less productive from over- 
fishing or other causes while a heavy set of spat may bring the lower 
classes into increased productivity and raise them a step higher in 
the scale. In some cases the number or" young oysters on the beds 
at the time of examination was sufficient to produce this effect in 
the following }^ear. On the whole, however, the general conditions 
shown in this report, barring accidents, should be maintained for a 
period of years. The estimated total content of oysters over 3 
inches long on the several parts of the different beds is shown in the 
table following. 



24 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OP BILOXI. 

Summarized Content of Market Oysters on Public Beds. 



Name of bed. 



Character of oyster growth. 



Dense. 



Scatter- 
ing. 



Very 
scatter- 
ing. 



Depleted. 



Total. 



Scranton Reef 

Patches near Scranton Reef 

West Pascagoula Reef 

Deer Island, East Point 

Small patches, Biloxi Bay 

Biloxi Bay, below railway bridge. 

Back Bay, east bed 

Back Bay, west bed 



Bmhels. 
12,232 



Bushels. 

12,285 

770 



12,141 

920 

1,385 

10,098 
7,221 
6,206 



1,786 

847 

12,932 

528 

680 



Bushels. 
18,894 
360 
4,522 
1,400 
2,400 
3,672 
1,008 
2,255 



Bushels. 

2,358 

24 

285 

329 

8 

442 

231 

20 



Bushels. 

45,769 
1,154 

16,948 
4,435 
4,640 

27,144 
8,988 
9,161 



Total. 



50,203 



29,828 



34,511 



3,697 



118,239 



Fifty-four per cent, or 63.871 bushels of the larger oysters dis- 
closed by the survey were found in the region adjacent to the mouth 
of Pascagoula River. Of these, 24,373 bushels were in dense growth, 
13,055 bushels scattering, 23,776 bushels very scattering, and 2,667 
bushels on the depleted bottom. The remaining 54,368 bushels, 
constituting about 46 per cent of the total, were in Biloxi Bay, where 
25,830 bushels occurred as dense growth, 16,773 bushels as scattering, 
10,735 bushels as very scattering, and but 1,030 bushels were on the 
so-called depleted bottom. 

The average product per acre on the beds near Pascagoula River 
was 221 bushels on the dense, 113 bushels on the scattering, 45 
bushels on the very scattering, and 7 bushels on the depleted bottoms. 

In Biloxi Bay the averages are 249 bushels per acre on the dense 
growth, 117 bushels on the scattering, 48 bushels on the very scatter- 
ing, and 9 bushels on the depleted bottom. It is therefore evident 
that the oysters on the areas classed as very scattering and de- 
pleted are so sparsely distributed that they are at present negligible 
commercially on account of the time and labor wiiich would be 
involved in tonging them. About 72 per cent of the oyster pro- 
ducing bottom is, therefore, to be regarded as of no present producing 
value. The remaining 28 per cent of the area of the beds produces 
oysters in sufficient quantity to warrant a fishery if size only is 
considered, but many of the oysters are so badly clustered and so 
inferior in quality that they have very little value. This is partic- 
ularly the case on Scranton and West Pascagoula Reefs. 

The only good oysters seen in that vicinity were in the deep water 
of Pascagoula River, where singles and small clusters are taken in 
limited quantity. In Biloxi Bay not only is the average productive- 
ness of the dense and scattered growth greater, but the areas of these 
growths are greater in proportion to the total extent of the beds, and 
the oysters are of somewhat better quality. 



OYSTEE BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



25 



The dense and scattered growths, but especially the former, are 
doubtless somewhat more prolific than is estimated in this report, as 
where the oysters are very rank the tongs in many cases do not take 
up all within the extent of the "grab, " and as the estimates are based 
on the area covered by the open tong heads and the number of oysters 
brought up in a definite number of grabs, there is certainty of an 
underestimate. On less prolific bottom this error does not occur. 
It should be stated that the bushel employed, while of the legal dimen- 
sions, contains more than the trade bushel, because to secure uni- 
formity of results the oysters are culled into singles or doubles and 
carefully packed in the measure. It is estimated that it holds, for 
this reason, 25 to 30 per cent more than when filled in the ordinary 
way. The small oysters, on which the future of the beds is in large 
measure dependent, differ from the larger oysters very materially in 
their distribution, as is shown in the following table: 

Summarized Content of Young Oysters on Public Beds. 



Name of bed. 



Character of oyster growth. 



Dense. 



Scatter- 
ing. 



Very 
scatter- 
ing. 



Depleted. 



Total. 



Scranton Reef 

Patches near Scranton Reef 

West Pascagoula Reef 

Deer Island, East Point 

Small patches, Biloxi Bay 

Biloxi Bay, below railway bridge. 

Back Bay, east bed 

Back Bay, west bed 



Bushels. 
32,560 



89,531 

670 

600 

6,120 

3,277 

8,091 



Bushels. 

46, 935 

2,070 



399 
693 
14,840 
372 
175 



Bushels. 

82,812 
2,700 

21,063 
1,015 
2,280 
2,652 
4,104 

15,621 



Bushels. 

7,074 

32 

26,505 

47 

33 

4,238 

987 

280 



Bushels. 

169,381 

4,802 

137,099 

2,131 

3,606 

27,850 

8,740 

24,167 



Total. 



140,849 



65,484 



132, 247 



39, 196 



377, 776 



It will be observed that in the entire region surveyed there is over 
three times the quantity of small oysters as of large ones, but if the 
table be subjected to analysis it will be found that they are very 
unequally distributed between the Pascagoula and Biloxi localities. 
Of the total 377,776 bushels, 311,282 bushels, or over 82 per cent, are 
found in the former, and but 66,494 bushels, or less than 18 per cent, 
in the latter. In the former there is nearly five times the quantity 
less than 3 inches long that there is of larger ones, while in Biloxi Bay 
there is but little difference. On Scranton and West Pascagoula 
Reefs and the adjacent small patches there are averages of 1,061 
bushels per acre on the dense growth, 426 bushels on the scattering, 
200 bushels on the very scattering, and 92 bushels on what is called 
depleted bottom. In other words, for every bushel of oysters of 
market size there are on the dense areas 4.8 bushels of small ones, 
on the scattering growth 3.8 bushels, on the very scattering growth 
4.4 bushels, and on the depleted bottom 13 bushels. 



26 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



On the beds of Biloxi Bay, taken as a whole, the dense areas con- 
tain 184 bushels of small oysters per acre, the scattering 115 bushels, 
the very scattering 115 bushels, and the depleted 48 bushels. Com- 
paring the quantity of small and large oysters, the areas of dense 
growth have 0.7 bushel of the former to each bushel of the latter, the 
scattering growth 1 bushel, the very scattering growth 2.5 bushels, 
and the depleted bottom 5.6 bushels. 

As it requires more small oysters than large ones to make a bushel, 
and as the value of the small ones depends upon their potentiality to 
grow into large ones, the proportion between the numbers of small 
and large is of more importance than the comparison of their quanti- 
ties. This proportion for each class of growth on each bed is shown 
in the following table: 

Number of Oysters Under 3 Inches Long for Each One Over that Length 

on the Several Beds. 



.Name of bed. 



Character of oyster growth.. 



Dense. 



Scatter- 
ing. 



Very 
scatter- 
ing. 



Depleted. 



Scranton Reef 

Patches near Scranton Reef 

West Pascagoula Reef 

Deer Island, East Point 

Small patches, Biloxi Bay 

Biloxi Bay, below railway bridge 

Baek Bay, east bed 

Back Bay, west bed 



6.07 



8.70 
6.16 



16.89 
1.67 
.99 
1.38 
1.03 
2.98 



1.86 

2.62 

1.62 

.59 



10.12 

17.13 

10.70 

1.62 

2.20 

1.63 

9.28 

15.76 



7.28 

3.00 

227.71 

.46 

9.30 

22.00 

9.66 

40.00 



Analyzing this table by regions, it is found that on the beds in the 
vicinity of Pascagoula River for every oyster 3 inches or more in 
length there are on the dense growth about 11 small ones, on the 
scattering 8, on the very scattering 11, and on the depleted bottom 
28. Most of these are between 2 and 3 inches long. On the beds in 
Biloxi Bay there are respectively 1.6 small oysters to each large one 
on the dense growth, 2 on the scattering growth, 5.3 on the very 
scattering growth, and 12 on the depleted bottom. 

In Biloxi Bay the proportion of small to large oysters is in no way 
unusual. On the areas of dense and scattering growth the propor- 
tions are such as indicate a normal condition of the beds, although 
there is a deficiency of small oysters on the scattered growth of Deer 
Island and Back Bay west beds. The high proportion of young on 
the depleted areas of certain beds is due not to their unusual abund- 
ance but to the scarcity of the larger ones with which they are 
compared, as may be seen by the detailed tables contained in the 
descriptions of the individual beds. 

On the beds at the mouth of Pascagoula River the condition is 
different. There the small oysters are superabundant almost every- 



OYSTEE BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 27 

where. There appear to be three conceivable explanations of this 
preponderance — (a) an extraordinary set of spat in the year preceding 
the survey following the destruction of the beds by freshets or other 
causes, (b) an unusually heavy set of spat without the destruction 
of the mature oysters, and (c) an average condition with respect to 
spat production, but general conditions of environment which prevent 
or retard the normal growth of the oysters. 

Judging from the appearance of the reefs and such information as 
it was possible to obtain concerning their history it appears that the 
third is the true explanation of the unsatisfactory state of the oysters. 
While the spatting conditions are good there is apparently a deficiency 
of the food requisite for the growth and fattening of the dense oyster 
population. The oysters are crowded in clusters and the individuals 
are unable to secure the requisite amount of nutriment. The planting 
of oysters on the bottom adjoining the original bed of Scranton Reef 
accentuated the trouble and was ill advised. Better success probably 
would have attended planting in deeper water and where the tidal 
flow is stronger. 

These beds densely crowded with small and inferior oysters are of no 
immediate commercial value. Apparently their only use is for seed 
beds from which the small oysters might be transplanted to localities 
more favorable for growth. 

BARREN BOTTOMS. 

The area of barren bottoms — that is, those which are not naturally 
productive of oysters even in small quantities — vastly exceeds that of 
the natural beds, including in the latter those so-called depleted areas 
which bear practically nothing. These bottoms are barren, mainly 
because of one character in which they differ from the productive 
areas — namely, that they are devoid of shells or other objects lying on 
the surface. They consist of sand and mud of varying degrees of 
stability and consistency. Oysters, immediately after they develop 
from the egg, for a brief period swim or float freely in the water, 
settling to a fixed condition only after they reach a stage of consid- 
erable developments 

It is not necessary to give more detail to this subject other than to 
say that at the time at which they are undergoing fixation the oysters 
are very minute, and a slight film of mud or slime is sufficient to stifle 
them. During the spawning season these little organisms are present 
in the water in untold myriads and are precipitated to the bottom in 
a continuous gentle drizzle of tiny specks. If they fall on an oyster 
bed they find firm supports on the shells and oysters, attach them- 
selves and grow, but if they fall on the mud or bare sand they die. 

a For a more extended account see " Oysters and methods of oyster culture," by H. F. Moore, Bureau 
of Fisheries Document 349, which may be obtained by application to the Bureau at Washington, D. C. 



28 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

The natural beds have been slowly developed on bottom similar 
to that which surrounds them solely because through some agency 
there originally lodged on the mud or sand some hard objects to which 
the young oysters could safely cling. Oysters developing there and 
their shells scattered about by the waves furnished additional 
places for fixation of new generations of young, with the result that 
the original growth extended in area and its bed became a compact 
mass of shells and fragments, beneath which can still be found by 
excavation or probing the original bottom differing in no essential 
particular from the adjacent barren areas. 

All that is required by the barren bottom in order that it may 
become productive is that its surface should be supplied with hard 
objects or cultch, either through natural agencies or by the hand of 
man. The capacity of the bottom to sustain material deposited on 
it and to maintain it in proper condition to serve as cultch depends 
largely on its stability and consistency. Moving sands gradually 
cover objects deposited on their surface and soft mud permits them 
to sink. It is therefore of prime importance for the oyster culturist 
to have information concerning the character of the bottom, and it 
was one of the purposes of the survey to supply it. 

The methods and the instrument employed have been described in 
the introductory part of this report and the results attained are shown 
graphically on the chart. 

The symbols on the chart designating the character of the bottom 
do not show all of the places at which examinations were made. 
They were merely representative of the general characteristics in their 
vicinity with respect to the bottom deposits. It will be observed 
that the chart shows, in general, a gradually increasing softness of 
the bottom toward the middle of the sound. The survey in the 
adjoining part of Alabama demonstrated that the very soft or oozy 
mud extends nearly to the islands on the south, adjoining which there 
is a narrow strip of sand, and, in view of the apparently similar con- 
ditions in Mississippi and the limited time at the disposal of the 
party, it was deemed unnecessary to continue the examinations 
beyond the line at which it was evident that the bottom was growing 
too soft for oyster culture. 

Excluding the shoal waters near shore, which it is understood are 
to a considerable extent subject to the control of riparian owners, the 
firmer bottom lies within ^.ye general areas, embracing about 23,000 
acres, which are described as follows: 

Grand Batture Shoal. — This shoal extends in a curve, concave, 
toward the east, from the west end of Grand Batture Spit to a beacon 
in about 8 feet of water near the middle of the sound. The shoal 
itself lies in a depth of 6 feet or less and is composed of more or less 
shifting sand, apparently too unstable for oyster culture, but sur- 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXL 29 

rounding it, especially between its eastern margin and the Mississippi- 
Alabama line, the sand is mingled with sufficient mud to give it the 
required consistency. This firm bottom lies in a depth of between 8 
and 12 feet and covers an area of about 4,200 acres. It is fairly well 
protected from freshets and is of a character which should permit it 
to be worked with dredges. 

Point aux CJienes. — Lying south and southwest of the western half 
of Point aux Chenes is a strip of stiff and soft mud stretching from 
the hard sand fringing the shore to a distance of about 1£ miles from 
land and with a length of upward of 2 miles east and west. Its 
western extremity is near Beacon B marking the approach to Pas- 
cagoula. The depth of water ranges from 6 to 13 or 14 feet and the 
area of the tract is about 2,000 acres. This bottom is softer than 
that previously described, but a considerable part of it is suitable for 
planting either oysters or cultch. Its proximity to the mouth of 
Pascagoula makes it susceptible to the influences of freshets. 

East of Round Island. — Adjacent to Round Island, especially on the 
east and south sides, is a sandy shoal gradually merging with the 
surrounding mud. The sandy bottom in depths of less than 5 or 6 
feet appears to be shifting, but in the deeper water to the eastward 
toward the Pascagoula Channel there is sufficient mud to serve as a 
" binder," and enough sand to correct the excessive plasticity of the 
mud. In consistency this bottom varies from "hard" to "soft," 
most of it being what is designated in this report as "stiff." This 
area, which covers about 1,300 acres, is open to the same objection 
as the area of Point aux Chenes — its exposure to the effects of freshets 
owing to its proximity to the mouth of Pascagoula River. 

Off Belief ontaine Coast. — From about 1 mile west of the mouth of 
Graveline Bayou there is a strip of more or less hard bottom stretch- 
ing almost without interruption to Biloxi Channel, but for conven- 
ience of description it appears advisable to divide it at the shoal run- 
ning from the east end of Deer Island. The portion here described 
is a curved strip about 5 miles long and from 1 to 3 miles wide encir- 
cling the shoal projecting from Bellefontaine Coast. It lies in water 
from 6 to 11 feet deep and varies in consistency from stiff to soft. 
In shoaler water the bottom is composed of hard sand liable to shift 
and in deeper water the mud is too soft. Owing to its proximity to 
Dog Keys Pass and its relative remoteness from large fresh-water 
affluents, it is subject to less danger than the preceding two localities 
in times of flood. It covers an area of approximately 6,500 acres. 

Off Deer Island. — This area stretches from the western end of the 
preceding to the dredged channel leading to Biloxi, outside the sandy 
area fringing the shore and forming a bar at the eastern end of the 
island. In depths less than 6 feet the bottom probably shifts more 
or less under the influence of waves and currents, and is therefore 



30 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

hazardous for oyster culture, although a few natural growth oysters 
are found on it in places. In depths between 6 and 9 or 10 feet, and 
probably somewhat greater, there is a good stiff and soft bottom, 
most of the area falling within the former classification. Although 
it is impossible to determine definitely without actual practical 
experiment, this area, which covers upward of 9,000 acres, appears 
to be well adapted to oyster culture. The streams discharging in its 
immediate vicinity are comparatively small, and it is in proximity to 
Dog Key and Ship Island Passes, therefore being guarded to a con- 
siderable extent from destructive reduction of salinity during freshets. 
The greater salinity might invite the inroads of drills or conchs, but 
this danger could be somewhat minimized by planting seed oysters 
rather than cultch. 

GENERAL PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS. 

TIDES AND CURRENTS. 

During the hydrographic and biological survey tide gauges were 
maintained at Pascagoula and Biloxi. The former was a plain staff, 
graduated in feet and tenths, established at the end of the boathouse 
at the light keeper's house at the mouth of the Pascagoula River. The 
automatic gauge established by the United States Army engineers was 
out of order and there was no bench mark available for reference. 
Mean low water was established by readings from February 7 to 
March 14, and by comparison with observations made simultaneously 
during 20 days at Biloxi. 

At Biloxi a similar gauge was observed from February 21 to March 
12, the mean low water being established by reference to the United 
States engineers' gauges on channel beacons A and D, which have been 
referred by leveling to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey 
bench mark. 

The observations were made primarily for the correction of the 
soundings, and as the daily tidal range is small, usually about 18 
inches, they are of little interest in connection with oyster culture or 
the fishery. The tidal currents in the region are more or less modified 
in velocity and duration by the winds, which often mask the lunar 
tides. In general the currents are sufficient to maintain the distribu- 
tion of oyster food. 

SALINITY OF THE WATER. 

The quantity of saline matter in solution in the water is an im- 
portant factor in determining the growth and character of oysters. 
If salt be absent entirely, or if its quantity be as great as that carried 
by the waters of the open sea, oysters will not live, and as these two 
extremes are approached the adverse effects are seen in the stunted 



OYSTEE BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 



31 



or otherwise inferior character of the oysters produced. The effects 
of the salinity of the water are not restricted to the direct influence 
on the oysters, but may affect them indirectly by furthering or retard- 
ing the occurrence of enemies and growths inimical to them. The 
conch, or drill, for instance, does not thrive in water having a low 
salt content, while, on the contrary, mussels, the vigorous growth 
of which is highly detrimental to oysters, often flourish in low 
salinities. 

During the survey the specific gravity of the water was tested thrice 1 
daily on the Fish Hawk and in addition several observations were 
made each day by the party actually working on the beds. The fol- 
lowing table summarizes the results of these observations: 

Specific Gravity or Water at Various Places and Dates. 







Average 


Average 


Maximum 


Minimum 


Locality. 


Date. 


tempera- 


specific 


specific 


specific 






ture. 


gravity. 


gravity. 


gravity. 




1910-11 


"F. 








Off Point aux Chenes 


Feb. 9-11 

Feb. 14-16 


63 

67 


1.0190 
1. 0170 


1.0204 
1.0194 


1.0164 




1.0129 




Dec. 2-4-27 


49 


1.0196 


1. 0209 


1.0187 




Jan. 20-24 


61 


1.0122 


1.0154 


1. 0106 




Jan. 29-31 


65 


1.0169 


1. 0188 


1. 0152 




Feb. 1-4 


67 


1.0121 


1. 0156 


1.0063 




Feb. 5-8 


71 


1.0136 


1. 0173 


1. 0075 




Feb. 12-14 


61 


1.0136 


1.0180 


1. 0084 




Mar. 6-8 


66 


1. 0168 


1.0178 


1.0139 




Apr. 2-4 


70 


1.0152 


1.0190 


1. 0149 


Three miles south of Graveline Bayou 


Feb. 16-18 


68 


1. 0175 


1.0194 


1. 0133 




Mar. 13-14 


65 


1.0209 


1. 0210 


1. 0208 


Three miles off Biloxi Bay 


Feb. 19 


70 


1.0178 


1. 0207 


1. 0138 


Three miles southwest of Deer Island 


Mar. 4-6 


63 


1.0189 


1. 0196 


1. 0182 




Mar. 8 


69 

71 


1.0198 
1.0193 


1.0212 
1.0203 


1.0184 




Mar. 11-13 


1. 0187 




Feb. 20-23 
Feb. 24-27 


54 
58 


1.0151 
1.0150 


1.0177 
1.0158 


1. 0118 




1.0129 




Feb. 28-Mar. 3. 


63 


1. 0170 


1.0186 


1. 0127 




Mar. 9-10 


68 


1.0187 


1.0192 


1.0182 



This table embraces observations made at intervals between De- 
cember 24, 1910, and April 4, 1911, part of the period, from January 
20 to March 10, being covered with practically no interruption. 
During this time the specific gravity varied from a maximum of 
1.0210 off the mouth of Graveline Bay on March 14 to a minimum of 
1.0063 at Pascagoula on February 4, and the local averages for 
periods of several days ranged with time or place between 1.0209 off 
Graveline Bayou on March 13 and 14 to 1.0121 at Pascagoula on 
February 1 to February 4. These figures compare with fresh water 
as 1.0000 and ocean water as 1.0250 or 1.0260. The minima shown 
in the table all occurred at low water and the maxima at or near high 
water. The lowest readings were taken in Pascagoula River, the 
station being located at the railroad bridge, where there was a con- 
siderable difference between the salinity of successive high and low 
waters. The highest average, as well as the lowest daily fluctuation, 
77630°— 13 3 



32 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

was found off Deer Island, near Biloxi. Nowhere during the survey 
was the salinity above or below that which oysters will tolerate, 
although in Pascagoula River it sometimes fell below that at which 
good marketable stock is ordinarily produced. In times of prolonged 
and very heavy rainfall undoubtedly the water in Pascagoula River 
becomes entirely or practically fresh, and the influence of its discharge 
must be felt in a pronounced reduction of the salinity of the sound 
near its mouth, 

OYSTER FOOD. 

In reports on previous surveys a feature usually has been made of 
the subject of the quantity of oyster food carried by the waters. 
These discussions have been confined, practically, to diatoms, minute 
microscopic plants, which authors generally have been prone to 
regard as supplying practically all of the oyster's nutriment. Volu- 
metric studies of the micro-organism content of the water begun in 
connection with the survey of Matagorda Bay a in 1905 revealed a 
quantity so small as to excite the author's suspicion that the living 
matter was of less relative importance than had been generally 
supposed. 

It appeared possible, however, that the quantity of water filtered 
by the oyster might be greater than generally supposed and digestion 
more rapid, and that despite appearances the small quantity of 
microscopic living organisms in the water and present in the stomach 
at any one time might be sufficient material for the growth and gen- 
eral physiological activities of a sluggish animal like the oyster. 

To test the matter, apparatus and methods b were devised for the 
volumetric determination of the organisms actually eaten during 
comparable periods of time. The result of this work, which has been 
carried on at intervals for several years by the author and Mr. T. E. B. 
Pope, has shown that while the quantity of water filtered is great, 
averaging roughly about 30 quarts daily for oysters 4-| inches long, 
the volume of the living food is insufficient to account for the actual 
growth of the oyster, making no allowance for the requirements of 
other vital activities. It appears that finely divided organic debris 
or detritus, which constitutes the major part of the material ingested, 
plays a more important role in the oyster diet than has been con- 
ceded, a view which recently has been advanced by Petersen and 
Jensen. c 

a Survey of oyster bottoms in Matagorda Bay, Tex. By H. F. Moore. Report of the Bureau of Fish- 
eries, 1905. Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 610. 

•ft Volumetric studies of the food and feeding of oysters. By II. F. Moore. (Proceedings of the Fourth 
International Fishery Congress, Washington, 1908.) Bulletin, Bureau of Fisheries, vol. xxvm, 190*, pp. 
1295-1308. 

"Valuation of the sea. I. — Animal life of the sea bottom, its food and quantity. By C. G. Jon. Petersen 
and P. Boysen Jensen. Report of the Danish Biological Station, XX. Copenhagen, 1911. 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OP BILOXI. 33 

In view of these facts and probabilities, and the present impossi- 
bility of establishing a standard for the expression of the quantity 
of food available, the data respecting the food content of the water 
collected during this survey will not be stated here. A special paper 
on the entire subject of the food and feeding of oysters will be issued 
on the completion of the studies. 

It may be stated from observation of the oysters and on general 
grounds that the food supply in Mississippi Sound and minor con- 
tiguous waters is ample. 

OYSTER ENEMIES. 

As the survey was carried on during the early spring, when the 
water was still comparatively cold, the observations made are prob- 
ably not to be regarded as a reliable index to the abundance of oyster 
enemies. None were observed but a few drills, mostly small, and an 
insignificant number of mussels. The low temperature of the water 
could have had but little effect on the latter, and it is fair to assume 
that ordinarily they are nowhere present in sufficient numbers to 
prove seriously detrimental to the oysters. 

As observations on other parts of the Gulf coast have shown that 
certain enemies to the oyster are of general occurrence, it appears 
advisable to furnish some general information respecting them. 

Drill, borer, snail, whelk, conch (Purpura hxmostoma) . — This animal, 
which bears these several names on the Gulf coast, was found very 
sparingly during the survey in Mississippi waters, and there was 
little other indication of its presence. A few small ones were taken 
on Scranton Keef and in Biloxi Bay, but in neither place was there 
found a sufficient number of drilled oyster shells to indicate that it 
had been recently abundant. It is liable to occur, however, espe- 
cially in the more saline water, and care should be exercised not to 
introduce it with seed oysters from infested beds. 

The drill or whelk lays its eggs in red or purple leathery capsules 
about one-half inch long and attached in clusters to shells, snags, and 
other firm bodies in the water. The young become destructive to 
the minute spat immediately upon emerging from the egg cases; they 
grow rapidly and progress in destructiveness as they increase in size. 
They destroy the oysters by drilling a small round hole through the 
shell, using for the purpose a flexible rasp-like organ lying at the end 
of a protrusible proboscis. After the shell is perforated the proboscis 
is thrust into the shell and the contents eaten, other drills sometimes 
partaking of the feast by entering the gaping shell of the dead or 
dying oyster. Most of the oysters destroyed are under 2 inches long, 
but large drills often kill more adult oysters. 

Mussels. — The common black sea mussel is a passive enemy of 
oysters, through its tendency to attach to them and under favorable 



34 OYSTEK BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

conditions to grow so rapidly and in such numbers as to completely 
cover and stifle them. Also, as its food is the same as that of the 
oyster, its abundance reduces the supply and in that way deprives 
the oyster of the nutriment required to make it fat and marketable. 
Even when neither of these effects are important, mussels injure the 
fishery, owing to the tenacity with which they are anchored to the 
oyster, which increases the labor of culling and makes the oyster so 
unsightly from the adhering fibers of the byssus as to considerably 
reduce its market value if sold as shell stock. The conditions 
which make for the abundance of the mussel are not thoroughly 
understood, but on the Gulf coast it appears to be controlled largely 
•by the saltness of the water, the mussels generally flourishing where 
the salinity is low for prolonged periods. Comparatively few were 
found in the region surveyed, and it is probable that they never or 
rarely become troublesome on account of the high salinity frequently 
occurring. 

Drurnfish (Pogonias cromis). — This, the " black drum/ 5 was not 
observed during the survey, but it is a destructive enemy of the oyster 
in other parts of the Gulf coast and is reported to destroy oysters 
on the adjacent beds of Alabama. It is migratory, making sudden 
forays and leaving, with destruction in its wake, often before its pres- 
ence has been noticed. It destroys the oysters by crushing them 
between the stout grinding teeth or bones with which its mouth 
• is furnished, and it is peculiarly destructive to the better grade of 

planted beds on which the oysters have been culled and separated 
to permit them to grow and improve in shape and quality. It is 
especially likely to attack the culled oysters within a few weeks of 
the time when they are planted, but they are not immune at any time. 
In Louisiana the drurnfish is so destructive in places that the oyster- 
men find it necessary to exclude them by surrounding their bedding 
grounds with wire fences. 

Oysters in the natural beds, especially when they are much clus- 
tered and of the sharp-edged raccoon type, are rarely injured seri- 
ously, as the sharp edges of the shells, presented in all directions, 
lacerate the lips and mouth of the fish and deter them from exten- 
sive destruction. Occasionally the small oysters culled off by the 
oystermen are damaged. 

The drurnfish occurs in waters of all degrees of salinity, from fresh 
or practically fresh to full oceanic density. 

SPAWNING. 

The survey was conducted at the season when the reproductive 
functions of the oysters are in abeyance, and therefore no definite 
statement of the spawning season in Mississippi can be made. Vari- 
ous investigations carried on by the Bureau at the western end of 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 35 

Mississippi Sound, where the general conditions affecting spawning 
are essentially the same as at the eastern end, make it possible to 
indicate with some precision the period during which the spawn is 
likely to be emitted. 

It is probable that the eggs may ripen even in the winter during 
sustained warm periods, but it is doubtful in these cases, even though 
the eggs be fertilized, if development ever proceeds far enough to 
secure a set of spat. The normal spawning probably occurs from 
April to October, as it does in similar waters in Louisiana, and clean 
shells or other cultch planted during those months should receive 
a good set of spat. The young oysters are free-swimming organisms 
during a short period of their early life, and as they are produced in 
untold myriads on the crowded natural beds and carried considerable 
distances by the currents, the water over a large part of the sound 
must be teeming with the fry during the favorable part of the year. 
Most of these embryo oysters perish through falling on unsuitable 
bottom at the stage of the shell formation when they are still barely 
visible to the unaided eye, and may be stifled by an exceedingly thin 
deposit of mud or slime. Those fortunate enough to alight on 
shells or other oysters and similar firm supports survive in large 
numbers, as is witnessed by the crowded condition of the beds, 
but over the vastly greater proportion of the bottom there is nothing 
to afford a haven. The only fundamental difference between an 
oyster bed and the surrounding barren bottom is that the former 
presents places for the attachment of the spat and the latter does not. 

Many free-swimming oyster fry are also killed by sudden drops in 
temperature, though this is not common on the Gulf coast, and by 
heavy rainfalls. The latter also tend to retard or suspend spawning 
through lowering the salinity of the water, and it frequently happens 
that heavy freshets defer spawning until summer. As freshets 
usually leave the shells and other cultch in excellent condition so far 
as cleanliness is concerned, probably through the destruction of slime- 
producing organisms, it frequently happens that a late spawning 
season produces an enormous set. 

OYSTER CULTURE. 

Oyster culture in the sense employed on the Atlantic and Pacific 
coasts and in some of the Gulf States is almost negligible of consider- 
ation, as at present practiced in Mississippi. The State conducts 
planting operations on the public bottoms, expending large sums 
annually during the years 1908 to 1911 in depositing oysters and 
shells on the reefs and adjacent barren bottoms, but there is very little 
oyster planting under private auspices, and none at all excepting 
under rights accruing to riparian owners. In 1911, but 4 per cent of 
the oysters produced in the State came from private beds, a smaller 



36 OYSTEK BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

proportion than in any other Gulf State excepting Texas. In Loui- 
siana, in the same year, 44 per cent of the oysters produced were 
grown on bottom rented from the State, and the yield from this source 
alone was three times the quantity, and over four times the value, 
of the entire product of Mississippi. 

Most of the planting by the State was west of the region covered 
by the survey, but large quantities of shells and oysters have been 
deposited on Scran ton Reef and the Biloxi Bay beds, the condition 
of which was developed during the present investigation, and is pre- 
sented in some detail in the preceding part of this report. It is the 
opinion of the author that the survey developed the almost complete 
futility of the State's policy so far as the region east of Biloxi is con- 
cerned. Pascagoula or Scranton Reef, and West Pascagoula Reef 
were practically worthless as market oyster producers during the win- 
ter and spring of 1910-11. During a considerable period of observa- 
tion no boats, excepting one or two small skiffs, were seen on the 
former, and but one schooner on the latter. The oysters were badly 
clustered, ill shaped, and poor in every way. During the calendar 
year 1911 about 28,000 bushels of oysters were taken by small boats 
from the vicinity of Pascagoula. Some of these came from the Pasca- 
goula River, where they are of good quality, and the remainder are 
reported to have come from the adjacent reefs. 

In Biloxi Bay the conditions are somewhat better, but still poor. 
Deer Island bed produces fairly good oysters, but on all of the other 
beds the stock was rough, clustered and generally inferior, although 
the presence of a number of tongers on the large bed below the railroad 
bridge and on the east bed above the bridge indicates that it finds 
some market. 

The laws of Mississippi do not permit the lease of barren bottoms 
for oyster culture, but in its report for 1911 the BoaroJ of Oyster 
Commissioners recommended "that they be given the right by law to 
lease to private individuals, firms, and corporations, citizens of the 
State, for a term of years to be fixed by the legislature, barren bot- 
toms suitable for planting oysters, on such terms and at such prices 
as the legislature may fix." With this recommendation the author 
is in hearty accord, but he believes that the further suggestions that 
the extent of the leaseholds be limited to 100 acres for each person, 
firm, and corporation, and that the annual rental be fixed at $1 per 
acre are not sufficiently liberal. Although this survey indicates that 
in the region covered upwards of 23,000 acres of the bottom are pre- 
sumptively suitable for oyster culture, it should be remembered that 
until practical test is actually made there is no conclusive evidence 
that they are suited for the purpose. For this reason the first plant- 
ings must be in the nature of experiments with the possibility of 
failure. In view of this, and to induce the undertaking, the rental 



OYSTEK BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 37 

during the first few years should be low, gradually increasing to a 
maximum of $1 per acre after time has been granted for the deter- 
mination of the commercially feasibility of the project under any 
given lease. If the practicability of private oyster culture should 
be demonstrated it would then be advisable to permit a somewhat 
larger holding than 100 acres, so as to remove any inclination to 
plant too thickly and thus cause deterioration of the stock. 

Doubtless the point will be raised that if the State's planting opera- 
tions have been less successful than was hoped, the same result will 
accrue in respect to private undertakings. This does not follow. It 
is well known that a tenant is usually less careful of the soil than is 
the owner of a farm, and that a municipality always manages its 
affairs less efficiently than a private individual or corporation. 
Abundant experience has shown, as a knowledge of human nature 
would lead one to predict, that private oyster beds are more carefully 
and successfully managed than are public ones. They produce more, 
and the oysters are better. In Mississippi, in 1911, the average price 
of plants was twice that of oysters from the public beds, and general 
experience has shown that the better and higher-priced oysters can 
find a market when the inferior, low-priced stock is begging for a 
buyer. 

Oyster culture consists of more than throwing a lot of oysters or 
shells on an old reef or tract of barren bottom. The planted material 
must be properly distributed with due regard to the character of the 
bottom, and seed oysters must be properly separated from the natural 
clusters, else they will crowd one another as they grow, many of them 
will die and the survivors be poor in shape and quality. If through 
growth and subsequent sets of spat they become too dense on the 
bottom, they must be judiciously thinned and transplanted, and they 
must be guarded as much as possible from enemies and from persons 
taking them illegally. A private planter hopitfg to reap the reward 
of his care and industry will see to these things, but the public in 
dealing with a common property is indifferent, or worse, and the re- 
sults are unsatisfactory even though the State may spend considerable 
sums to make it otherwise. 

Aside from its production of much-needed foodstuff and its increase 
in the wealth production of the body politic as a whole, which are the 
important considerations, oyster culture has the additional advan- 
tage of economy in State administration. The care of the public 
beds is a constant avenue of State outlay. The leasing of barren and 
naturally unproductive bottom is a source of State revenue. 

In all States in which there are natural beds of considerable ex- 
panse the major part of the expenditures of oyster-law administration 
are in their behalf. The production of revenue is not the chief con- 
cern when the welfare of industry- and the conservation of a food supply 



38 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

are concerned, but when the people of the State at large are called on 
to pay the bills, in whole or in part, it is a legitimate and proper subject 
for consideration. 

Finally, the welfare of the public beds and of those obtaining a live- 
lihood from them is not threatened by the encouragement of oyster 
culture, as with respect to them there need be no change in the policy 
of the State. If care be taken to exclude the natural beds from leas- 
ing, it is probable that they even may be benefited by oyster culture 
on the barren bottom, and it is reasonably certain that, as has been the 
case in other parts of the country, a number of those now working 
on them will become oyster planters if opportunity be given them, thus 
replacing their present more or less precarious and uncertain livelihood 
by a more assured and regular as well as more profitable calling. 

It is not necessary to discuss in detail the methods of oyster culture, 
as a special pamphlet" on the subject may be obtained on application 
to the Bureau of Fisheries. It appears advisable, however, to indi- 
cate briefly the two general methods open to prospective oyster grow- 
ers in Mississippi, the planting, or more properly transplanting, of 
young oysters from the natural or other beds and the deposit of shells 
or similar materials to which the spat may attach. 

As has been shown in the preceding pages, certain of the beds are so 
densely crowded with small oysters that few of them have chance to 
develop into marketable stock. Transplanting a considerable number 
of these from judiciously selected places to barren bottoms should 
not only result in saving a considerable proportion of the plants but 
would improve the living conditions of those left on the reefs and 
permit them therefore to become as good as is possible under their 
environment. For ordinary cannery purposes the seed oysters would 
require but rough culling, but if it is desired to produce oysters for 
shucking or shell stock the clusters should be well broken up, so that 
the individuals are not at all crowded as they grow. It is not neces- 
sary to separate them into single oysters, and where the drumfish is 
likely to occur it is advisable not to do so. In general, it is desirable 
to plant seed oysters at least 2 inches long in the more salt water 
where the drill is found, as those of smaller size and thinner shells 
are likely to be killed. For the same reason spat setting on the 
shells rarely survives in drill-infested regions, and the culled seed 
is not likely to become overgrown with many young. Should oyster 
culture reach considerable magnitude in the State, or the natural beds 
become depleted of superfluous young, it will be necessary to resort 
to shell or other cultch planting to secure a set of spat. This should 
be conducted in the fresher waters where the drill is least likely to be 
found, and the material planted, in order to prevent the formation 
of large clusters, should be in as small pieces as will suffice as collectors. 

a Oysters and methods of oyster culture. By H. F. Moore. Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 349. 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 39 

The section of this report dealing with the barren bottoms, together 
with the chart, should be consulted for the location of areas on which 
experiments in oyster culture may be undertaken with some assurance 
of success. The regions off Deer Island and east of Grand Batture 
Shoal are probably the most promising. On each of these the depth 
and the character of the bottom are such that the beds could be 
worked with light dredges, and both appear to be adapted to the 
growth of oysters from seed. The work should be conducted as an 
experiment in the beginning, and not on a scale so large as to entail 
heavy loss if some of the conditions should unexpectedly prove 
unfavorable. 

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 

The following pages briefly review the conditions developed by the 
survey, with the deductions and recommendations based on them. 

1. The survey included that part of Mississippi Sound lying be- 
tween the Alabama-Mississippi boundary and Biloxi, being practically 
restricted to the County of Jackson, although including a small part 
of Harrison County in the vicinity of Biloxi. 

2. Within these limits there are embraced natural beds aggregating 
about 1,708 acres, of which 475 acres, classed as bearing dense and 
scattering growth, bear oysters of marketable size in sufficient quanti- 
ties to support a fishery. On part of this area, however, the quality 
was too poor at the time of the survey to permit the oysters to find 
a ready market at a remunerative price. On the remaining 1,233 
acres large oysters are too scattered to be taken commercially with 
profit. 

3. It is estimated that in February and March, 1911, these beds 
contained not less than about 120,000 bushels of oysters over 3 inches 
long and about 375,000 bushels of smaller ones, a total of not less than 
495,000 bushels of oysters of all sizes. Of this quantity, about 80,000 
bushels of the larger size and an equal quantity of the smaller ones 
were on those parts of the beds in which the former were present in 
sufficient density of growth to warrant a commercial fishery. The 
bushel measure used was the standard employed in the State, and as 
the oysters were culled into singles and doubles and compactly ar- 
ranged, the measure contained a larger number of oysters than is 
usual in commercial practice. The data furnished is therefore con- 
servative as to the content of the beds. 

4. The quantity of small oysters on the beds as a whole is largely 
in excess of the quantity of large ones, although on the denser areas 
of market oysters in Biloxi Bay this is not the case. As, however, it 
requires a larger number of small oysters to produce a given quantity, 
the small oysters are nearly everywhere numerically equal to or in 
excess of the large ones, the only exceptions being on some of the 



40 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 

scattering growth areas of Biloxi Bay. On the parts of the beds 
where the large oysters are most abundant the numerical proportion 
of small oysters to large ones ranges from equality on the small 
patches in Biloxi Bay to about 17 to 1 on West Pascagoula Reef. 
Where the larger oysters are fewer the proportion is generally higher, 
reaching about 228 to 1 on the so-called depleted part of West Pas- 
cagoula Reef, where marketable oysters are practically absent. The 
young oysters are, therefore, present on practically all of the beds 
in sufficient numbers to insure the continuance of the present content 
of market oysters, and the production of some of the beds, especially 
those in the vicinity of Pascagoula, should be increased by a judicious 
removal of some of the young. 

5. The demand for oysters in Mississippi is in excess of the present 
supply of good stock. While some of the natural beds in the region 
east of Biloxi may be improved by rational treatment, it is not 
believed that they can fill requirements. They may supply some of 
the demand for cannery purposes, which do not require the highest 
quality, but they can not satisfactorily fill the demand for the shuck- 
ing and shell trade. 

6. To satisfy this demand for an increased supply, and especially 
for a better quality than the natural beds produce, the State should 
enact such legislation as will permit and encourage commercial experi- 
ments in oyster culture on the present barren bottoms. There are 
within the limits of the survey upward of 23,000 acres of bottom 
now worthless but apparently suitable in stability and other require- 
ments for oyster culture. These bottoms, if experiment should con- 
firm favorable opinion as to their utility, constitute a valuable asset 
of the State now wasted for lack of legal authority for their rental. 
This defect in the oyster laws should be corrected. 

7. The Gulf coast in general has advantage over the more northern 
oyster-producing States in its milder climate, which is less likely to 
impose interruption to the fishery. It has the disadvantage of afford- 
ing a somewhat shorter season, owing to the shorter term of cool 
weather in which oysters can be handled without spoiling. In respect 
to transportation to a large part of the interior population, it is more 
favorably situated than are the States of the Atlantic seaboard. It 
should also have some advantage in the shipment of seed oysters to a 
considerable part of the Pacific coast. 

8. The production of spat is more to be depended on than in the 
great oyster-producing States of the North, in some of which the set 
is liable to fail for several years in succession, entailing serious loss 
on the planters. Moreover, growth is in general more rapid, and 
marketable oysters are produced in half the time required on some 
of the northern grounds. 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 41 

9. Oyster enemies are no more destructive than are those of the 
North, and some of the worst of the latter do not cause trouble on 
the Gulf coast. Disaster from freshets is more likely to occur, but 
can be, to a considerable extent, guarded against by judicious choice 
of location. 

10. One of the most serious difficulties with which planters and 
oystermen have to contend, the pollution of the public and private beds 
by drainage and sewage discharges, is minimized by the absence of 
large communities adjacent to the oyster bottoms. Private beds pro- 
ducing oysters for the market should not be located in proximity to 
sources of contamination, and floating or "fattening" oysters by 
immersion in fresh water should be discouraged and absolutely pro- 
hibited if the water used be open to suspicion of pollution. The 
future of the oyster industry everywhere depends in large measure 
on the guarantee of its product in respect to cleanliness and whole- 
someness, and not only the State oyster commissions and boards of 
health but the oystermen themselves, for both moral and business 
reasons, should require that the public health be safeguarded from 
the acts of the careless and unscrupulous. 

11. Should a law be passed authorizing the leasing of the barren 
bottoms, such leaseholds as are granted should be carefully surveyed 
to determine their areas, the tracts should be regular in shape, and 
the corners located by reference to the triangulation stations or land- 
marks established by the Coast and Geodetic Survey. These are all 
carefully determined and are permanently marked, and a strict com- 
pliance with this recommendation will guarantee accuracy in the 
surveys, obviate disputes, and secure an honest and correct assessment 
of rental. 

12. Legislation to secure these ends should be carefully drawn and 
based on the experience of States in which oyster planting has been 
successful from the standpoints of the planters and the State as a 
whole. 



U. S. B. F— Doc. 774. 



Plate I. 




OYSTERS FROM SCRANTON REEF. 
(Natural size.) 



U. S. B. F.— Doc. 774. 



Plate I! 




OYSTERS FROM WEST PASCAGOULA REEF. 
(Natural size.) 



U. S. B. F.— Doc. 774 



Plate III. 




OYSTER FROM DEER ISLAND BED, BILOXI BAY. 
(Natural size.) 



U. S B. F— Doc. 774. 



Plate IV. 




OYSTERS FROM SMALL PATCH, BILOXI BAY, 
(Natural size.) 



U. S. B. F.— Doc. 774. 



Plate V. 




OYSTERS FROM LARGE BED, BILOXI BAY. 
(Natural size.) 



U. S. B. F.— Doc. 774. 



Plate VI, 




OYSTERS FROM BACK BAY, BILOXI. 
(Natural size.) 



1 



